Exhibitors Herald (1927)

August 13, 1927 EXHIBITORS HERALD 7 Big Studios Note Methods of “Quickies” in Study of Thrift Lillian Gish to Rejoin Griffith, Hollywood Hears (Special to the Herald) HOLLYWOOD. Aug. 9.— Lillian Gish, who became famous as a screen actress under the direction of D. W. Griffith, has returned to his personal direction, according to reports current in Hollywood. Neither one of the two would confirm nor refute the statement that a new contract had been signed, but Griffith’s business agent said a confirmation would be forthcoming shortly. Ryan^s Work for Pathe Will Include Over 500 Reels of Productions (Special to the Herald) HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 9.— Phil L. Ryan’s responsibilities have increased with the development of the merger of Pathe and P D C. Ryan reached here in February to assume a temporary position of Pathe executive of the Pacific Coast with plans to spend his mornings on a golf course and his week ends on a yacht. The merger has changed his plans. Ryan is looking forward to intensified effort as captain of the crew of producers, directors, players, technicians, auditors, etc., who will deliver three Patheserials each of 20 reels in length, 40 feature length Western melodramas, eight features with a dog as the star, six outdoor specials, four specials with Leo Maloney as star, fifteen Roach comedies for Pathe release, three Monty Banks comedies of seven reels each and other productions. In all, Ryan will be connected with the production of more than 500 reels of pictures, or more than ten reels weekly average — and that is a tremendous amount of responsibility for any one man. With all his work, Ryan has not lost his sense of humor. Hollywood Police Book Two Alleged Impostors (Special to the Herald) HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 9. — Two alleged film impostors were arrested Saturday by Hollywood police, for alleged forgery activities. One, William Beery, former Montana cowboy, who posed as a brother of the Beery boys, was sentenced to 30 days in jail for passing a worthless check for $35. Grady Terry, 26 years old, of Dallas, Texas, was charged with obtaining money under false pretense, and posing as Charles Ray’s brother under the name of Albert Ray. Charles Ray has no brother. Gillam Doing Scripts (Special to the Herald) HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 9. — Don Gillam, former publicist, is now doing the continuities for William Counselman and Frank O’Connor, at Fox studios. Seek Causes for Delays in Production Schedules Nihlo Proves Fallacy in von Stroheim Vogue of Shooting; Rigid Ban on Studio Visitors; Gilbert May Produce By DOUGLAS HODGES HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 9. — A close survey of the 11 largest studios here indicates that they have turned an eye to Poverty Row and have decided to follow an example or two that have been set by the producers of the “quickies.” Admire “Quickies” Despite Faults From Louis B. Mayer on to Jesse E. Lasky and on to Watterson Roth— acker you find producers and associate producers in all studios affirming the general suggestion that “a lot of these cjuickies have some good box office values in them,” despite that they also have critical characteristics. Such men as Mayer, Rothacker, Le Baron, Wurtzel and others are sincere in their determination to institute faster methods for shooting pictures, thereby saving negative costs. Methods for speeding up production are under consideration. Big Producers Puzzled They are anxious to adopt the system used by independent producers but they hold to the belief that their own pictures are better than Poverty Row’s. But it hasn’t yet been stated in what manner they are better. Fred Niblo completed a picture yesterday, Aug. 8, from the Channing Pollock’s story, “The Enemy.” Lillian Gish stars. There are a good story, a strong star and an intelligent director. The sets are far above the average; the lighting and photography are worthy of note; the theme has been forcefully worked about a strong idea with the result that Niblo has produced another e-xcellent M-G-M picture, it is believed. And he produced it with a minimum of shooting days and therefore with a minimum of inefficiency. He thus proves a fallacy in the Erich von Stroheim theory. Niblo uses a chart from the beginning of his work and he worked from a continuity that had been prepared by a skilled workman, not a fast talking scenario writer whose experience had been confined to selling women’s underwear. Twenty Gatemen Discharged But there are other attempts at thrift. Twenty gatemen have been discharged Japanese Develop Critical Audience (Special to the Herald) TOKIO, Aug. 9. — The Japanese rapidly are developing a keen and discriminating eye for good motion pictures and can’t be tricked into considering a production good just because the exploitation says so, according to the Fudocho publication. End of the moratorium has not bettered materially the business status, says the paper. at various lots. Orders have gone out that a gateman who permits a visitor on the lot without a pass will be dismissed immediately. Newspapermen have been denied the courtesy of entering one studio and, incidentally, are preparing to make use of the prerogative of their pen. Although most of the actors are “calmed” a few well paid stars still hold resentment for the injury done their pride recently by the “wage cut.” John Gilbert states that he is planning to produce his own pictures. Noah Beery will leave Paramount within a few days. Others are expected to jump at the end of their contracts. It is a serious question among producers whether to continue to the expensive course of putting “new faces” into pictures and thereby slowing up the work and cutting the box office value or to hold the “old timers” who know what to do without holding up production for 20 rehearsals for a scene. Curtiz, Dynamic Worker, Gets Zanuck Story for Next Warner Picture (Special to the Herald) HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 9.— Michael Curtiz celebrated a double event last week, when he began working on “Good Time Charlie.” Aside from the fact that it is one of the best scripts on this year’s Warner schedule, it marks his fourth picture for that company in the year that he has been in this country. The j'ear ended last week. Curtiz has won an enviable reputation since he has been here as the most dynamic worker in the directorial field. Darryl Francis Zanuck wrote the story from which his next picture will be made. Pembrooke Completes ** Ragtime** for 1st Div. (Special to the Herald) HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 9.— Percy Pembrooke has just finished “Ragtime” for First Division Pictures at the Chadwick studios, with an all-star cast, including John Bowers and Marguerite de la Motte.